Fungus On Caterpillar May Be A Potential Arthritis Painkiller
British researchers have found that a caterpillar fungus can become a potential treatment for arthritis. Researchers from the University of Nottingham believe that the popular Chinese medicine ingredient known as cordyceps mushroom or caterpillar fungus could provide pain relief.
“This study is the first step in a potential drug development for a new class of drugs for osteoarthritis…” said Dr. Cornelia de Moor, the study’s lead researcher. In the study, researchers gave cordycepin, the active component found in the mushroom, to mice and rats and have produced effective results.
Cordycepin works by blocking inflammatory responses causing osteoarthritic pain, but it works differently than conventional painkillers. Researchers said that cordycepin would be helpful in some instances where NSAIDs and steroids do not work. In addition, they claim that the compound would elicit fewer side effects.
Scientists were sceptical about the research at first, but a pilot study has shown that the component was effective in providing pain relief among rats. While cordycepin has never been studied as the lead component of arthritis painkiller, de Moor said that clinical trials may begin in six to 10 years if proven to be safe and effective.
With the announcement made regarding the study, de Moor has warned people against self-medication using cordyceps because there is insufficient data on the compound. She said that cordyceps preparation that will be on sale in Europe will less likely contain the right dose of the compound and may also contain harmful chemicals.
About 7.3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis, 33 percent of which are over the age of 45, according to a report from the Arthritis Research UK. The Arthritis Research UK has given de Moor and her team a three-year grant amounting to £260,000 (AU$503,486) to fund for further research on the potential of cordycepin as treatment for osteoarthritis.
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